Next week we will have over a thousand people go through our Family Life Center in 3 days. Why? That is a great question. Families will be coming and bringing their children to be evaluated for Upwards. We try to divide the teams up with kids at different skill levels. It makes the competition a little more even and more fun. Cheerleaders will come and learn a few basic moves for the season coming up. The place will be hopping. This is our 22nd year of hosting Upward Basketball & Cheerleading. It has brought many children and their families to church and we have seen many of those same kids come to faith. That is why we invest so much into this ministry. Pastor Tracy has been doing a great job leading this ministry for the past several years. This year is going to be a great year of seeing many more come to Christ. Having a ministry like this for as long as we have had it can have some challenges. Many people will assume that someone else is volunteering for it since we have had it for so long. That is a myth. Every year we need to be as passionate for Upward as we were when we first began in 1999. We need everyone to come and work together to see a great harvest. There are many ways we each could serve next week and next season as our games begin in January. I think of the story of Jesus washing the disciple’s feet in John 13. “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them” John 13:14-17. Sometimes we need to get out of our routine and not only minister to people who participate in Upwards, but we need to minister to those who are on the front line. We have several people who put many hours in behind the scenes in order to make this season as smooth as possible and to remove any obstacles that distract us from our purpose and mission. We will have more people come through our building than any other ministry over a period of 3 months. Can you imagine the relationship of trust we can build with some families? This is where you come in. Would you be willing to help us serve the many families that will be here for Upward Evaluation week? Next week Monday through Wednesday, we will be registering people, helping kids with proper uniform sizes, finding out their skill level, and loving each person who comes through the door. Don’t assume someone else will do it. Inform the church office that you are willing to help with something during these crucial days. Remember that this Sunday night we will also have our Harvest Dinner at 5:30pm. Who have you been inviting to come with you? Let’s all come together as one and see Jesus transform lives. I pray that you will pray and do what you can to help us love others in the name of Jesus this next week. Joy in Jesus! Pastor Mike
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Rev. Mike McClurgSenior Pastor, Findlay First Church of the Nazarene Archives
March 2020
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